Machine for weaving wire fences.



1%. 862,669. PATENTED AUG. 6; 1907. L. W SHOWALTER- Q MACHINE FOR WBAVING WIRE FENGBS.

APPLICATION FILED we. as. 1906.

2 sums-SHEET 1.

172064502 Iaifli wdowaz'ier 'No. 862,669, PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907. L. w. SHOWALTBR.

MACHINE FOR WEAVING WIRE FENCES.

APPLICATION FILED we. 2a, 1900.

if J4:

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

702%265666 Zita? for O ZIZa Zddfiawa 2%) W I I 6% an nokms PETA-Rs co.. wasmucrolv. n. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACHINE FOR WEAVING WIRE FENCES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1907.

Application filed August 23, 1906. Serial No. 331,719.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LONNIE W. SHOWALTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dale Enterprise, in the county of Rockingham and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Weaving \Vire Fences, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to fence making machinery and more particularly to mechanism for applying cross or stay wires to the strands or runners of a wire fence.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a manuallyoperative machine for positively and expeditiously applying and securing cross or stay wires to the runners or strands of a wire fence in such a manner as to produce a strong and durable fence structure at a minimum expense. I

The mechanism may be used either directly with the strands or runners after the latter have been secured to fence posts, or the fence fabric may be manufactured at a point distant from where it is desired to utilize the same.

While the improved mechanism is particularly adapted for the purpose set forth, it will be understood that it might be used in forming wire fabrics for general usage.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinater set forth.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several viewsFigure 1 is a perspective view of a fence making machine in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View. Fig. 3 is a plan of a supporting yoke. Fig. 4 is an end view of the machine, and, Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the machine frame.

In the drawings the reference character 2- designates a U-shaped frame provided near one end with a later ally-extending sleeve 2 constituting a ,bearing for a shaft 11.

The terminals of the frame are indicated by two reference characters 3 and 3 each of which is provided with a substantially V-shapcd slot 3. The V-shaped slot 3 in the terminal 3 terminates in a circular opening 4 in which is rotatably mounted a twister element 15 in the form of a circular disk having a laterally-projecting annular flange abutting against the outer face of the terminal 3 The twister element 15 is formed with a slot 16 and an opening 21 and said element 15 is connected by holdfast devices to a gear 6 mounted within the frame 2. The gear 6 has an inwardly-extending protuberance 34 said protuberance and gear being longitudinally slotted as at 7 the slot 7 registering with the slot 16 of the twister element 15. The gear 6 is furthermore provided with an opening 20 which registers with the opening 21 in the twister element. This latter element also constitutes a bearing for the gear 6 as well as supporting and connecting it to the terminal 3" of the frame 2, and, furthermore, enabling the positioning of the gear 6 When assembling the parts of the machine.

Arranged within the frame 2 is a gear 9, which is connected to the inner end of the shaft or trunnion 11 and has the teeth thereof meshing with the teeth 8 of the gear 6. The shaft or trunnion has its outer end squared to receive a crank 14 so that the gear 9 can be conveniently operated and thereby impart movement to the gear 6.

Arranged within the frame 2 is a rotatable yoke 5, which at its forward end straddles the protuberance 34 and is connected thereto by the holdfast device 35. The rear end of the yoke 5 is offset as at 5 and slotted, as at 16. The offset 5 engages in the depression 3 formed in the terminal 3 of the frame 2 and said offset 5 constitutes a bearing for the rear end of the frame. The slot 16 at the rear end of the yoke is adapted to register with the slot 3 formed in the terminal 3. By such construction it is evident that the yoke 5 is rotatably suspended within the frame 2 and that when the gear 9 is rotated motion will be imparted to the gear 6 and, owing to the connection of the gear 6 to the yoke 5 the latter will be caused to revolve.

The yoke 5 is formed with a pair of apertured offsets 17 in which is journaled a shaft 18 constituting a reel for the wire 19. The wire is adapted to pass through the openings 20 and 21 so that the terminal thereof can be twisted upon a runner wire 22 and during such oper ation automatically unwound from the reel 18. The runner wire 22 is adapted to extend through the slot 3 in the terminal 3 the slot 16 at the rear end of the yoke 5, the slot 7 in the gear 6 and the slot 16 in the twister element 15.

The apertured offsets 17 formed on the yoke 5 are provided to allow considerable wire to be wound upon the reel 18 and also to prevent the wire wound upon the reel 18 from contacting with the runner wire 22. Therefore, from such an arrangement the revolving of the reel will not be retarded when the wire 19 is being drawn therefrom.

A handle 23 is provided for the frame 2 so that the machine can be conveniently manipulated by the operator..

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is: r

1. A machine of the class described comprising a frame,

.a yoke carried thereby, a reel supported by the yoke, a

wire twister carried by the yoke, and means for rotating the yoke.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a U- shaped frame having one of its terminals provided with an opening and each of its terminals provided with a Vshaped slot, one 01 said slots terminating in said open ing, a wire twister element mounted in said opening, and having a slot registering with a slot in that terminal in which is formed the opening, a gear connected to said element and having a slot registering with the slot of the element, a rotatable yoke connected at one end to said gear and at itsother end journaled in the frame, and a driving gear journaled in the frame and adapted to mesh with the first-mentioned gear for imparting movement thereto, said element and the gear connected thereto pro vided with an opening, the opening of the element registering with the opening of the gear.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a U shaped frame, a wire twister element supported thereby, a rotatable yoke arranged within the frame, a wirereceiving reel carried by the yoke, and means for rotating the yoke to permit of the feeding of the wire from off the reel for the purpose set forth.

4. A machine of the class described, comprising a U- shaped frame having slots in the terminals thereof for the reception of the longitudinal fence wires, a rotatable yoke journaled at one end in said frame, a slotted wire twister clement journalcd in the frame, a gear connected to and having a slot registering with the slot in the element, means for connecting the gear to the yoke, a driving gair meshing with the firstanentioncd gear for rotating the same thereby revolving the yoke, a wire-receiving reel to permit of feeding a wire during the operation of the yoke to the longitudinal wire of the fence, and a handle connected to the frame.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a U- shaped frame having slots in the terminals thereof for the reception of the longitudinal fence wires, a rotatable yoke journaled at one end in said fralne, a slotted wire twister element journaled in the frame, a gear connected to and having a slot registering with the slot in the element, means for connecting the gear to the yoke, a driving gear meshing with the first-mentioned gear for rotating the same thereby revolving the yoke, and a wire-receiving reel to permit of feeding a wire during the operation of the yoke to the longitudinal wire of the fence.

(3. A machine of the class described, involving a frame having cut-away portions in the body thereof at opposite extremities, a revoluble yoke member mounted within said frame, a twister element carried at one end of said yoke and having a slot adapted to register with one of the cutaway portions in the frame, a gear member associated with said yoke, a reel supported by the yoke, and means for imparting rotary movement to the gear for actuating the yoke.

7. In a machine of the class described, a frame having cut-away portions at opposite extremities in the body thereof for receiving a wire, a yoke revolubly mounted within the frame, a gear associated with the yoke, a wire receiving reel supported by said yoke, a driven gear meshing with the first-mentioned gear for imparting rotary motion to the yoke, a handle connected to said frame, and a crank arm for the last-mentioned gear.

8. In a machine of the class described, a U-shaped frame having eut away portions at its terminals, a yoke revolubly mounted within the frame, a wire twister mounted at one end of the yoke and arranged exterior of the frame, a wire receiving reel supported by the yoke, and means for rotating the yoke to permit of the feed of the wire from the reel to the wire twister.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LONNIE W. SHOWALTERf Witnesses CHAS. S. I-Irnn, .TAMns L. NORRIS, Jr. 

